May 14, 2009
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Thunderstorms interrupted the opening day of the 2009 SEC Outdoor Track and Field Championships Thursday, causing a delay of close to three hours, but two Auburn multi-event athletes were able to finish the opening day in position to score points for the Tigers.
Thursday's competition included only the first day of the men's decathlon and the women's heptathlon, with Auburn freshman Chelsey Thomas finishing the day in eighth place in the heptathlon while junior Jager Livingston stands 10th in the decathlon with his stonger day still to come.
Thomas had season bests in the high jump (5-4.25) and 200 meters (25.52) while scoring 3,055 points during the first day. She also had a time of 14.70 in the 100-meter hurdles and threw the shot put (33-3.75).
Livingston started with a personal best in the 100 meters (11.66) and season bests in the long jump (19-11) and shot put (38-8.25), before high jumping 5-9.75 and finishing the 400 meters in 51.11 seconds. He ended the opening day with 3,281 points, which puts him on pace for a new personal best.
Competition at the SEC Championships continues through Sunday. Friday's competition includes the conclusion of the decathlon and heptathlon, finals in four addition events and prelims in six others.